Sunday, May 31, 2009

$5000 REWARD

Muslims are in America to live their American dream,and NOTto dominate or impose Sharia Laws.

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$5000 REWARD

The Neocons* are fabricating and propagating the idea that Muslims are invading America to dominate and impose Sharia Laws without any substantiation. Cashing in on fears is Neocons modus operandi. They know how to scare the devil out of those few self proclaimed conservative Americans, and get them to open their check books, and the poor suckers pay the ransom.

There are several websites out there, where they write a frightening article followed by requests for donations, or they will show a frightening documentary as a “fact” and watch and laugh at the men who crap in their pants and open their check books in a hurry to these ‘ugly’ defenders of their traditions. I wish, they spend half their time in promoting goodwill, and I pray that the scared ones don’t open the check books to these fear mongers who will mess up the world further.

Muslims are a fabric of America and are a part of the Moderate Majority of Americans of every hue, they are busy in participating and contributing towards nation building, and living the American dream.

Muslims have no ambitions of making Islam a dominant religion or imposing Sharia Laws in the United States. A few individual may say that for a few claps, but for every creep who runs his mouth with a Muslim label, you will find a lot more of them with other faith labels. The good news is that there are thousands of Muslims out there who will speak out against such non-sense and I am one.

Islam is not about domination; it is about mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill, and it is about working for just societies. If we find men who want to subvert peace in our societies, let’s lock them up as individuals. I guarantee you that you will find them in every faith.

The American Muslims have become aggressive and are not going to let any idiot jeopardize their chosen homeland with hate sermons in their mosques. They go to mosques to find peace, to pray and to appreciate the creator. In our society, we believe in one, many or no God, we need to watch every pulpit that allows delivery of hate sermons, it is our individual responsibility to speak up and perhaps be bold enough to stop it.

Here is a challenge for you - If you find mosques that allow hate sermons delivered from their pulpits and DO NOT find a church, synagogue or a temple to match it, you can earn a reward of $5000.00. This challenge goes to Wall Street Journal and all those fear salesmen who have failed to substantiate their claims. We cannot accept bullshit, we need the truth.

Extremism is the combined enemy of peace and security; we are all in it together and need to find solutions. We cannot become extremists ourselves to rid of extremists. I cannot leave peacefully when people around me don't.

We all need to stand up for the general goodwill of the society. Please take a stand that Muslims in America are no different than any one of the 301 Million Americans. They do what every American does; live the American dream; living a life and contributing and participating in the well being of America. The false propaganda that Muslims are here to dominate or impose Sharia must be strongly condemned; there is no substantiation to that.

We owe it to ourselves and our kids to create a society of co-existence.

Mike GhouseSounding off the voices of a majority of Muslims.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer. Mike is a frequent guest on talk radio and television network discussing Pluralism, interfaith, Islam, Peace, India and civic issues. He co-chairs the center for interfaith inquiry and presides the Foundation for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress with a simple theme; Good for Muslims and good for the world and vice-Versa. His comments, news analysis and opinions are placed on the Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net.

When individual men murder, rape and make off others, is it our constitution that is faulty or is it reflective on all Americans or is it the American Religion? Baloney! Crimes are committed by individuals regardless of the homes they are raised in; the religious values they are given or race them belong to. Let’s place the blame where it belongs; the individuals and bring justice instead of blaming the universe of that individual.

**Neocons are those Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and other extremists who make it their business to malign other groups for their gains.

Neocons are people who choose to wear a religious label but act and talk contrary to the very belief they claim to espouse. It is their way or no way. Their attitudes are shaped by the fear that their life is at risk if others exist, if they can, they will wipe every one off from the face of the earth who ever differs from them. They are intolerant and insecure group of men. They trust their Gun power but invoke God in vain, they do not want to dialogue, as they are afraid to lose. They are chaotic and desperate souls.

They believe God is on their side, and that God has given them the permission or at least they pose to the world that it is their God-given right to dominate, control, monopolize and influence the resources that God has created for the benefit of his creation. They want to have it all.

***The most important step in doing peace work is to distinguish between the following opposites:

The second most important step is to identify the ugly men amongst us, every group has bad guys, and every faith has bad guys, acknowledging it takes us little closer to the reality. We should have the audacity to speak out our point to elicit a response of knowledge and understanding and not denial. We should stick and fight and not run away.

29 comments:

Mike, who are these "neo-cons" you refer to so frequently? Do you have some specific evidence of who is doing the "fabricating" and what does your use of the label "neo-con" add to our actual knowlege? ----------------Anisa Abd El Fattah at 6:38pm May 31Well, anyone who has seen what the neocons have done to this country and would still believe anything they say is an idiot. The neocons have trashed the US Constitution, sent our kids off to senseless wars, ruined US prestige and standing in the world and collapsed our economy and stole pensions, and caused people to lose their homes and tried to ... Read Morebust all of the unions, including creating a police state. Muslims are not trying to take over the US, even though we could certainly stand to be rid of the neocons. --------------Richard Benkin at 6:45pm May 31

Well, Anisa Abd El Fattah, perhaps you can provide evidence for your rants. Imagine! Those neo-cons, whoever they are, must have some kind of mysterious powers? Do you think they are related to The Literati or are tied with Skull & Bones. Maybe they're Freemasons or people who are described in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Hapless souls... Read More have been reaching for wild conspiracies to explain their failures for centuries. These rants about the all-powerful neo-cons fall right into that know-nothing tradition.

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Mike Ghouse at 6:48pm May 31Richard, thanks for chiming in here is my take on the Necons.

Neocons are those Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and other extremists who make it their business to malign other groups for their gains.

Neocons are people who choose to wear a religious label but act and talk contrary to the very belief they claim to espouse. It is their way or no way. Their attitudes are shaped by the fear that their life is at risk if others exist, if they can, they will wipe every one off from the face of the earth who ever differs from them. They are intolerant and insecure group of men. They trust their Gun power but invoke God in vain, they do not want to dialogue, as they are afraid to lose. They are chaotic and desperate souls.... Read More

Neocons are butchers. They chop up God into bits and pieces, and their bit of God is supreme to other pieces. ----------------------

Mike Ghouse at 6:50pm May 31Neocons are butchers. They chop up God into bits and pieces, and their bit of God is supreme to other pieces.

They believe God is on their side, and that God has given them the permission or at least they pose to the world that it is their God-given right to dominate, control, monopolize and influence the resources that God has created for the benefit of his creation. They want to have it all.

They are the ugly drops of every faith.

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Richard Benkin at 6:57pm May 31Ah, now that sounds like the Mike Ghouse I know. Yes, the people you describe are loathsome. Because, however, the term "Neo-Con" has specific meaning already, and has been used to malign people who just happen to take certain political positions; I would suggest that honest dialogue is not served by using that label. I think you are on to something with your description of the sort of individual you mention; but I think the term, neo-con, gets in the way.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 6:57pm May 31Neocons are actually a group of ideologues that were formerly democratics and who split with democrats because they felt they were weak on the war.They are mostly Zionist Jews, and Christan Zionist. If that it is a conspiracy, it is theirs not mine. During the Bush administration they acted to destroy this country. Is that my rant? Mine and also ... Read Morethe rant of millions of other Americans who voted for Obama hoping to be rid of them. They are not fantasy, they are real, and they have nearly destroyed this country. They are responsible for the murder of over 1 million Iraqis and nearly 5000 US soldiers who died in an unnecessary that they misled our country into. These are facts that can be proven. Their writings are available for all to read, don't take my word for it.

Richard Benkin at 7:02pm May 31See, Mike, this is what I meant. Say neo-con to this person and she hears "Zionist Jews and Christian Zionists." She also makes a further leap to say that somehow they have hatched a conspiracy to move the US away from democracy. That's pretty bizarre, and I know your posts are meant to encourage honest dialogue, not baseless rants.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 7:03pm May 31Yes Mike, there are people who call themselves Muslims who have adopted the neocon worldview, among them are Hosni Mubarak, Mahmoud Abbas and others who have aligned themselves with Israel and the AIPAC worldview of the so called "New Middle East." The Qur'an says that Muslims are those who have submitted to God and His laws, these people clearly ... Read Morehave not since the Islamic law prohibits all forms of illegal violence and war and racism and supremacism and also empire. I agree that there is evil among all people, but neo-conservatism is real and it is a real political ideology that has proven to be very destructive.

Richard Benkin at 7:04pm May 31One additional note, you are very clear that your understanding of neo-con has nothing to do with any religion but with a position taken by people from all religions. We can see, however, that others are not so enlightened and rather use neo-con to spew their own bigotry.

Mike Ghouse at 7:05pm May 31Anisa, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein are there too... I would avoid giving all of them a religious label.. they are individual criminals, their relgion did not tell them to do the wrong.

It is time we strip the bad guys from a religious label.

When some one murders in washington DC, it is that individual who is wrong - not the people of DC, nor the constiution of America nor the law books. The other 99% Americans follow the same set of books.... Read More

Likewise, bad acts should not be attributed to a relgion, a book, a race or a group.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 7:11pm May 31Richard, my opinions are not baseless rants. There can only be dialogue where there is truth. These are not my opinions, they are facts. Let's examine the policies and legislation that were passed during their reign of terror on our Republic and let us read their articles, essays, etc., and then tell me that I am fabricating a rant or conspiracy ... Read Moretheory. It's not my fault that Richard Perle, Feith, Wolfowitz, and others like Podheretz, Crystal and other neocon leaders are also Zionist Jews, or that the non Jews who aligned themselves with their worldview describe themselves as Christian Zionists. You are free to disagree with my opinion about the impact of neocon policies on our country, but please don't attempt to suggest that they don't exist, or that they have no ideology, or that they are not predominately Zionist Jews and Christians. You are the person who first used the word conspiracy, not me.

NurWadud Yossi Lopez-Hineynu at 7:14pm May 31Well said, Mike. People choose to commit heinous acts and live in prejudice, using religion as a way to justify.

Mike Ghouse at 7:14pm May 31Any way, as Americans we need to watch every pulpit that allows delivery of hate sermons, it is our individual responsibility to speak up and perhaps be bold enough to stop it.

Mike Ghouse at 7:17pm May 31Nur, let's strip every criminal from using a religious label, and let's not give them a religious label either. They are criminals and not their religion, whichever it might be.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 7:22pm May 31Mike you are missing my point. Neo-conservatism is a real political ideology and grouping, just like liberals and conservatives. They are not merely a philosophical idea. They are a political movement here in the US and perhaps internationally. The criminals that you mention are indeed criminals and wrong by any standard, religious or non religious... Read More. Zionism is not a religion. I have described neoconservatives as the defined themselves previous to their defeat in the recent election. I don't hate them and I'm not preaching violence against them, still they are not sacrosanct. They can profess a lie about Muslims in the US, in fact a very dangerous lie, yet we can't discuss that because it offends Richard? Instaed we can only discuss Muslim criminals? It was this type of manipulation of the public dialogue that allowed them to trick us into wars in Iraq and also Pakistan, that caused us to undo our Constitution etc.

Mike Ghouse at 7:33pm May 31Anisa, well said, except one item - Richard was expressing his opinions and I did not see him to be offended.

If we treat criminals as criminals without giving them a group label, we have a chance of trying them out for their crimes, but if we include them in a group, then we are stereotyping them. Not all Al-Qaeda guys are violent, not all ... Read MoreZionists are violent, not all Hamas or Israeli military guys are violent, not all Christian rights are violent... it's a few hard core individuals who drive the engine of destruction.

We need to dialogue with them, understand their fears and find solutions for every one to exist, of course, if all else fails, we have to use the ugly power to subdue the conflicts, but they must be resolved for sustaining peace. It is in our interest to do it, and it is not in our interest to get excited to kill and destroy others.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 7:53pm May 31I agree with you Mike, but let dialogue begin with some common truths. We cannot begin by suggesting that the very phenomenon that we will discuss do not exist. No one here is considering violence, or getting excited. The title of your post says neocons are saying Muslims want to dominate the US. My point is that the neocons dominated it and nearly... Read More destroyed it. All of these other issues are merely distractions. The point is that US Muslims are not seeking to dominate the US, and the neocons who launched this false charge are liars.

Linda Ghaliyaa Richard at 9:43pm May 31Anisa most EXCELLENT response! Anisa Abd El Fattah at 10:31pm May 31Thank you Linda.

Bonnie Kaplan at 12:08am June 1Muslims are a fabric of America. That's why we have sought participation of Muslims in our Carrollton Centennial Community Quilt project. They "got it" that we are creating a quilt with signatures from all the diverse groups in Carrollton and have joined with us in "putting the unity in community." This quilt will be a visual symbol of our aspirations toward pluralism.

Delores Speiginer-Lundie at 12:54am June 1Richard your debate with Anisa was condescending....your description of her discourse was accusative and too personal...whether you agree with her point of view or not shouldn't we maintain respect for another's opinion?

Delores Speiginer-Lundie at 12:58am June 1I COMMEND YOU Anisa, your debate was informative and knowledge-based......THANK YOU FOR CARING.

Richard Benkin at 5:43am June 1Anisa. I awoke to see your latest attempt to justify your bigortry. So, you cannot help that Wolfowitz et. al. were all Jewish. Okay, well then I cannot help that every one of the 9/11 hijackers were Muslim, as was Saddam Hussein, all of Al Qaeda including its bloody leadership, Sami Kuntar, those who praised him for bashing in the skull of a baby... Read More, Yassir Arafat, Ayatollah Khomenei, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, all of the people who gang raped the 14 year old Hindu girl I interviewed in northeast India in March, and on and on and on and on.

Is this a productive analysis of world events? My guess is that Mike Ghouse is making the very point that it is not. But if you wish to go that route, you open the door for it to be applied to Muslim, as well as the Jews you love to bash.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 6:03am June 1Richard I am glad that you raised these issues because it gives me an opportunity to say to you, that many reputable scientists and politicians and others are requesting a new and impartial investigation of 9/11 hoping to get to the truth. Once that investigation is complete, you and I should revisit the issue, unless you want to have that ... Read Morediscussion now. I assure you that Muslims did not carry out the 9/11 attacks. You have mentioned 5 other Muslims here, out of 1.5 billion, whose characterizations are highly politicized. I can mention many Rabbis, and Israeli leaders who have been equally or more racist, fanatical and brutal murderers. We can discuss this further also if you would like. My point here is that neocons are lying when they say Muslims want to dominate the US. Now, if you want to discuss Muslim dominance and the threat neocons feels it poses, we can discuss that too, so long as you agree that it is relevant to also discuss the neocon political record. I don't bash Jews.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 6:14am June 1 I am sure that you are not accustomed to Jewish people being held up to public criticism for their extremism and misdeeds. I understand that. On the other hand, I am very comfortable with your opinions about Muslims because Muslim bashing is in vogue, and mostly do to the good work of the Zionist Jews and Christians and others who have not missed ... Read Morean opportunity to defame Muslims and Islam on every given opportunity. This is so prevalent in our country that even judges in our courts can't resist handing out harsh sentences to Muslims, and the FBI can't resist entrapping Muslims, and even politicians now campaign against "Islamofacism." So I understand your pain, do you understand mine?

Richard Benkin at 6:22am June 1Don't be so glib about what you are "sure" about; you are wrong.

But since you brought it up, go ahead and "mention many Rabbis, and Israeli leaders who have been equally or more racist, fanatical and brutal murderers." Especially the "many rabbis." Let' hear it.

Richard Benkin at 6:23am June 1Oh, and there is no legitimate discussion of the conspiracy theories abounding about 9/11. Do you also think that Holocaust denial is a legitimate discussion?

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 6:31am June 1Nope, I don't want to go there because it is purposeless, for now. I don't hate or even dislike Jewish people. I do dislike what they are doing in Palestine, and what their neoconservative counterparts are doing politically here in the US. Can we discuss the supposed threat they say that Muslims pose and why I disagree that Muslims pose such a threat?

Rajinder S Bedi at 6:40am June 1You have made very apt and valid points against the hate group.

Richard Benkin at 7:08am June 1And I would like to be clear about something. Actions speak louder than words. While I make no bones about my virulent opposition to radical Islamists, radical Islam, etc.; I have defended Islam publicly: I have been praised from the pulpit of a Dhaka mosque for defending Islam; I have been praised for the same by a Fundamentalist Muslim leader ... Read Moreand group in Bangladesh; I had a passionate and public argument with the powerful leader of a Jewish organization defending Islam; in March, I spoke at several Indian universities and made the point that radical Islamists are far more akin to other millenarians such as fascists and communists than they are to the religion of Islam.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 7:19am June 1So our problem is that we don't know one another and we got off to a bad start. I wasn't trying to offend you. My name is Anisa Abd el Fattah and I head an organization named the National Assoc. of Muslim American Women. I don't think Holocaust denial is a legitimate discussion. I do believe that facts surrounding the Holocaust can be questioned. I disagree with your opinion that there are no legitimate discussions regarding a new investigation of 9/11, and who actually committed that crime.

Mike Ghouse at 7:33am June 1 We the people, who care for peaceful co-existence and civil societies, must continue to identify the sources of hate and conflict and figure out solutions. Almost always it is the individuals whose words prompt action, wars, and destruction of others they don’t like.

Clarity is a must in finding solutions; these individuals are responsible for prompting conflicts, and certainly not their race, ethnicity, religion or nationality. Let’s place the responsibility where it belong and not their periphery.

Richard Benkin at 9:09am June 1Two items, Mike. I would argue (in response to an earlier comment of yours) that if we are looking to marginalize those who use religion as their criterion for action, Yassir Arafat absolutely belongs at the head of that list. Do you know that the only time he ever apologized for terrorism in Israel was when terrorists he dispatched killed a ... Read Moreyoung Muslim male along with several young Jews. He wrote specifically to the father of the former apologizing because, he said, they did not know his son was Muslim.

I also might disagree with several names on the list you posted, but I want to address one in particular: Daniel Pipes. I know and respect Daniel; he has alienated a great many people on that side of the political ledger specifically because he refuses to agree that Islam is the problem. He was the first to formulate the expression: Radical Islam is the problem; moderate Islam is the solution. (continued)

Richard Benkin at 9:12am June 1Daniel Pipes also was the first to state and write over and over again that radical Islam is akin to fascism and communism but has little or nothing that resembles the religion of Islam. He is a scholar of Islam and lived for years in Egypt. He has very clearly and continuously tried to distinguish between Islam and those terrorists who claim to ... Read Morebear its mantle. The fact that he is uncompromising with the latter--including anti-Israel terrorists--have led CAIR and other partisans to label him falsely without foundation.

Mike Ghouse at 10:11am June 1 Richard, in the process of learning the truth, we will agree on parts and disagree on other parts.

Most of the European and American Non-Muslim Islamic Scholars have their basis in deliberate mistranslations of Qur'aan that occurred in the 10th and 11th Century. Many of these scholars keep chasing their own tails on the falsity and they have seldom ... It never occurs to them to refresh their minds and look at other possibilities. (http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/ check the right panel for info)

Pipes may legitimately distinguish between the two, but when he puts the material out to people, they read it as all Muslims. If he chose, the radicals are a danger to the society including the ones in Islam, Christianity and others, thus separating them from Islam. ... Read More

When you read their stuff, it generates fear, hate and revenge adding to the chaos.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 10:16am June 1I also know Daniel Pipes and have studied his writings. I interviewed him in 1998 for the Middle East Affairs Journal after he coined the terms "Islamism" and "Islamists" to define Muslim political activism, and political participation. I also invited him to a round table discussion with Muslim academics and activists in Washington DC which he ... Read Moreattended. Pipes is not the worst, but he is guilty of fanning lots of anti-Muslim and anti-Islam fanaticism. He knows how I feel about his scholarship as we have had very candid telephone conversations concerning his approach. I will say to his credit that he was instrumental in having the memorial honoring Baruch Goldstein who massacred Palestinians, shooting them from behind as they knelt in prayer at a Hebron mosque dismantled. I understand that since that time the memorial has been reconstructed.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 10:23am June 1As for Yasser Arafat, his acts of violence pale in comparison to his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon's who facilitated the Sabra and Shatilla massacres of Palestinian women and children at a UN safe haven. Sharon never apologized for those massacres, nor for the massacre he directly carried out in the Jenin refugee camp. It was after that massacre that Sharon declared that no one judges Jews, while Jews judge everyone.

Anisa Abd El Fattah at 10:57am June 1That's right Imam Zia. To date no one has been able to trace Emerson's funding since his documentary Jihad in America. In our book, "The Agent; Truth Behind the Anti-Muslim Campaign in America" we were able to identify the various think tanks and foundations that funded the production of Emerson's documentary. We were never able to find out who ... Read Morefunds his so called "Investigative Project." No doubt he and Pipes and also Judith Miller, the firmer NY Times writer, and Spencer perhaps receive funding from AIPAC and other Jewish organizations for the anti-Muslim and anti-Islam propaganda.

Bonnie Kaplan at 11:35am June 1 Mike has correctly named those who have sinned against humanity. But he started this post by noting that Muslims in America just want to live their lives peacefully here.He decries those who use their pulpits for hate and I do too. When we know each other better, it is more difficult to hate each other. Through our good-willed interactions with ... Read Moreothers of different backgrounds we learn to know and appreciate others different from ourselves. This is not a new idea.I am shocked by the level of discourse here. Some of it seems counterproductive, each one emphasizing the misdeeds of the other. Perhaps because I do not know each of you personally, I do not understand your history with each other. But I am disappointed to see the level of discourse revert to what appears to me long-held fear and antipathy of Muslims and Jews. Forgive me if I have offended any of you with my statements. They are made in the spirit of trying to understand.

Richard Benkin at 12:19pm June 1And so we see Anisa devolving into Ant-Semitic conspiracy theory. She is either naive or terribly bigoted--no third option. The fact is, my people have been malingned that way for centuries, even before there was an Islam. And we have suffered pogroms and expulsions as a result. If I was told earlier that the problem with Daniel Pipes is how ... Read MoreMuslims read him, then Anisa's comments must be seen as the anti-Jewish hate-speech as Jews will see it.

Tell me, Anisa, why do you assume "No doubt he and Pipes and also Judith Miller, the firmer NY Times writer, and Spencer perhaps receive funding from ... Jewish organizations"?

Mike Ghouse at 1:19pm June 1Please join me in taking the stand that the whole world is our people regardless of what others propagate or divide the world. Some of us have to take that stand and drop the you vs. me approach, which has not worked for centuries.

By taking this stand we are identifying those who are a source of conflict (now add Robert Spencer to the list) regardless of their religious affiliation, and they are among us and they are part of us, we need to find solutions with them and never harbor the idea to oppress them or cut them out, they have a right to have their opinoin, but they do not, as we do not have a right annihilate each other or devise plans to undo each other's existence.

A lot of wrongs have been done in the past, when there was no accountability, even now in a democracy like ours, we have let accountability evaporate into thin air, we have had no accountability in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... Read More

In this discussion, we must not forget that Shariah is not for non-Muslims. In India, Muslims are allowed Shariah as a Personal Law. Americans have nothing to fear from Shariah. Even if the majority of Americans adopt Islam through Dawah and Tableegh, Shariah will be applicable to only those who, by their own choice, have adopted Islam willingly. In Islamic history, non-Muslims living in Muslim-majority or Muslim-ruled countries have enjoyed all their freedoms. Sharia has not been imposed upon them by Muslim governments. Rather they have enjoyed the justice of Sharia ruling in their favor against Muslim perpetrators, if there were any.

In this connection, please have a look on one of my articles in Urdu published in the monthly Tarjuman-ul-Quran, Special Issue on Maulana Maudoodi , uploaded as here: http://www.muslimthinktank.info/nifazeshariat.htm

I refer to one more article which will be available by clicking below. It was published in Jasarat, Karachi and some Japanese net Urdu newspapers. In this I have given reference of an American Harvard Law Prof. Feldman’s book and Magazine article in New York times about Sharia.

The problem is with the hardliners who have nothing productive to do than keep issuing Fatwas, unfortunately, and shamelessly they are the ones who are running the show, it is changing though and Insha Allah, the world in on a new trajectory of co-existence now, that existed during the times of the Prophet.

Sharia is not divine, and it is not God's words either. Sharia is a compilation and personal interpretations of men to suit that time in the history. However to their credit, they did their best to bring the idea of justice, the central tenet of Islam to the public forum.

Our civic laws serve justice to people of diverse backgrounds as well as Muslims. Then why do we need Sharia? We have lived in America without it and if given a choice through a private ballot, we may not even get 600 votes out of 6 Million Muslims favoring it. (1/10th of 1% ) to be fair, the ballot should go to every man and woman including the ones who pray five times a day. There are two types of Sharia - one that is imposed on individuals for adherence, which is contrary to the freewill of Islam and the other one is for personal consumption - how do pray, fast, pay zakat or perform Hajj. The 2nd form of Sharia is in practice and will continue to exist on a personal level and we don't need the first one... as our system of laws are just fine to handle it.

Shariah is not divine but it is based on divine revelations of Allah and the teachings of our Prophet (pbuh) in the form of Quran and Ahadith.

Maybe majority of American Muslims do not want it. It is a matter of great regret that despite calling themselves Muslims, they do not want it. We have to continue Dawah and Tableegh among them until the time, they start desiring it. Man-made laws of the West may be providing good justice. But they cannot supersede laws of Allah in providing real justice.

To dispel fears of non-Muslims regarding Shariah in America, it is sufficient to tell them that it is not for them. It is a matter confined to Muslims only. There is no need to recommend to the Muslims in the West to remain happy and satisfied with whatever justice they are getting there, saying as in your article, that the laws providing justice in the West are quite good. Some participants of this discussion are supporting you that the laws for justice in the West are much better than many un-Islamic laws in Muslim countries of today dominated and governed by secular Muslim rulers.

Indian Muslims, despite a minority in India, want Shariah and are trying to practice it through Personal as approved by the Indian government.

We made Pakistan for it. There was no need of a separate country to practice personal Sharia or 2nd type, as you define it.

I have added a few more names in this mailing list and request them to throw more light on this problem that should the Muslims in the West remain satisfied with the justice of their local laws? Will this situation absolve them from the obligation of Shariah of the 1st type, as defined by you. I hope some of them living in America as pious Muslims and good scholars of Islam will throw better light on this problem.

If you can read Urdu, I will again suggest you to go through my articles referred in my previous mail for a better understanding of each other’s point of view. For the newcomers, who would like to participate in this discussion, I would request them to first read your original article on my web site by clicking on: http://www.muslimthinktank.info/mikeghous1.pdf

I am glad you accept that - Sharia is not divine but man made, based on the revelations in Qur’aan.

The intent of Sharia was for the common followers of Islam to have an easy to read manual for "yes" or "no" answers. We can call that part - the personal Sharia which deals with how we pray, fast, pay zakat and the rituals. These guide the individual to follow a certain pattern. Everything we do in life, no matter what faith or traditions, we are loaded with rituals, even the way we eat food, there is a system and sequence of eating. These are the guidelines and personal Sharia is fine with and I follow it as well.

The public Sharia on the other hand deals with people other than yourselves.... and the intent was justice. The writers who wrote the public sharia laws did not live in the culture that prevailed during Prophet Muhammad - where the Prophet initiated the Madinah pact, giving equal rights to its entire citizen regardless of their faith. When the Sharia laws were written, monarchies were set in and the society was mono-religious and as such there is an inadequacy in the sensitivity and the Justice is not the same.

Societies have evolved towards humane way of living and those laws are unyielding at times. Let me make an assertion, Islam is not about following Sharia Laws, it is about living a pious life of respect, dignity to other and be the peace makers. Except the Private Sharia, which has become our culture, we have no need for the public Sharia. The laws of the land in the United States and India at this time are adequate, but needs to be updated as well. We need to ban capital punishment.

In India, the battle is between Extreme Muslims and Extreme Hindus - not the 99% of Hindus or Muslims, but it is less than the 1/10th of 1% in each group that is hung up on others way of life. If these guys take a vacation to Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a month, India will have fuller peace. If we need a transition to civic laws in India , let it take two to three generations – no one will drop their practices because some fanatic tells them to. Heck no. Let there be a plan, but no imposition against the will of the people.

IN the US , we did not have a need for the Public Sharia and we don't need it in the future. We are fine with the justice systems we have.

As one of your fans who believe in your noble and dedicated work to build bridge and bring people of religions and cultures together, I personally believe it would not be in interest of your followers to argue and correct other people's belief in their religion, but to respect their beliefs and try to promote peace among religions, inspite of different beliefs.We must not forget it's just a few against humongous many who have firm commitment in belief in their own religion, right or wrong.You would get nothing but scorn and hatred.

I am no scholar of Qur'an, nor have I studied other scriptures in detail but, what I have experienced and found, after living in both east and west that religious laws are incompatible, especially in western countries, where they are committed "to governments that reflect the will of the people" and "freedom to live as you choose." Even in many Islamic countries you would hardly find full imposition of sharia laws.

Therefore, even to discuss of imposing sharia law in America is beyond our imagination and sheer waste of time.Atleast in America which is so pluralistic that application of one society laws vis a vis other would be impossible to implement, without pitching one against the other and going through immense opposition.

While agreeing with you that the comments are of no consequence given the reality of Sharia being imposed in the United States, I would like to add that we must speak up. Some one wise said, the continuance of bad happenings is not due to bad people, but solely due to good people doing nothing about it.

The commentary came in the light of the false Propaganda the Neocons are constantly waging - they have nothing against American Muslims, but they cook up something. I had asked CAIR, ISNA and other groups to make an announcement and let the dog stop chasing. So, I want to allay the fears of poor Neocons that Muslims have no interest in it, and like a few them are doing the wrongs things, a few Muslims are also matching their wit and both of them are wrong.

Hussain believed that Sharia was divine and I had to share another point of view with him, that it is not. I seriously doubt any Imam who has studied any would disagree with that.

Hasni, I am used to a few Muslims ( may be 4 in all my groups) haranguing me... they have made their business to malign me behind my back and yet call themselves Muslims. I have nothing to gain from the work I do, and hence, nothing to lose. As a member of the human society, I have to do my share of contribution and I do it to the best of may ability.

The role I have chosen as a Muslim is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. I am doing a tiny part of what my mentor Prophet Muhammad did. The great man endured persecution, lived through false allegations and even attempts to be killed. I am an ordinary Khaksaar and I can endure all that and perhaps more. No matter what you do, the jealous kind twists it make you look bad. Let Allah be the judge.

The holy Prophet (pbuhf) said, “whatever I Muhammad has made halal will remain halal up to the Day of Judgement and whatever I Muhammad has made haram will remain haram up to the Day of Judgement”?

If so, then on whose authority are we Muslims following the innovations and bid’ats of men?

If the Messenger of Allah through whom the Shariah was revealed could not and would not alter anything, how can man interfere and introduce bida’h and then impose them on the people ?

“This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour to you. I have chosen Islam to be your faith.” 5:3.

If Allah claims to have completed His Deen, then why and for what are all these changes happening after the departure of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his immaculate progeny)?

How can one claim to be following the Deen of Muhammad (pbuhf) which is adulterated and manipulated by mankind ?

This would then mean drifting away from the original Islam as preached by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him ) in the light of the Holy Qur’an and as per Commandment of Allah.

Let us examine the personal confessions of some of the most ancient and foremost “Imams” (’Canonical’ authorities) who narrated History, Hadith (Prophetic sayings and traditions), laid down Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and did Tafseer (explanation) of the Quran.

IMAM RAZI’S HORRIBLE CONFESSION:

Most Muslims have heard of one of the most ancient and famous Tafseer-e-Kabeer (The Great Exposition of the Quran) by Imam Fakhruddin Razi.

This Tafseer is one of the tops being followed by our Mullahs till this day. After writing his 300 volumes, ‘the great and authoritative’ Imam confesses: “All my intellectual and supposedly logical statements in the explanation of the Quran turned out to be lame.

All the explanations of the Quran done by the so-called Imams (Tabari, Zamakhshari, Ibne Kathir, Bukhari, Muslim etc) are misguided and misleading.

All of us were the tools of Satan. Our souls were polluted by our physical desires. All our endeavors and works of this world promise to bring upon us nothing but eternal humiliation, torture and doom.

Now if you guys say the intent is to provide Justice then let me ask you why QIST and ADL is NOT a pillar of faith then? did the Prophet not pursue justice and equity? and if we truly are following his sunna then ADL and QIST must out of necessity be a Pillar of Faith....it is not ! and so how do we intend to achieve "justice" if you say that is the intent of imposing a version of a sharia which to me is man made as opposed to the genuine divine laws which would obviously be the Same for all muslims and apply equally to all sects....or is the imposition based on a sectarian agenda? if I may ask? was the Prophet a ruler of individual sects? or was the ruler and prophet of the Umma? or maybe the Prophet divided the people instead of it being the other way around?.....under the circumstances the alw of the land prevails and may be better positioned to provide a level of justice and fairplay to all citizens....I believe that is what Mike is trying to say here....

You are arguing and debating with a person who can't differentiate the meaning between Assalamu aliakum and Namaste.

He is a by born Indian Urdu speaking Muslim but He is a "MIKE."

Deen and Shariah are both from Allah (S.T.). It is not man made.

Deen of Allah is the same from Adam to Muhammad (s.aw.). Shariah has changed when a new Rasool (Messenger of God) came to this earth. The Shariah of Moses were mandatory for all the people living at that time. The old Sharia was replaced.

Now after Shariah of Muhammad (s.a.w.), the Sharia of Moses and all old Sharias became obselete. Sharia can be replaced only by the Messenger of Allah. Now, there is no messenger after Muhammad (s.a.w.), therefore, the Sharia of Muhammad (s.a.w.) is valid till Qiyamah.

The Indian and USA constitution are man made constitutions. As a Muslim, living anywhere in the world belong to Allah, we have to strive hard to establish Deen of Allah and Sharia of Muhammad (s.a.w.).

However, i will advise you don't waste energy to debate the people who has satanic agenda and want to induldge you in a debate to divert your attntion.

Write an original article instead of wasting your time in this type of forums.

I would appreciate if you would disagree with me in the most civic manner you can, as we do differ. There is no need to denigrate another Muslim, who thinks differently than yourselves.

You and I need to help Muslims from doing Gheebat and recklessly passing judgments on others, it is not the Muslim thing to do. Although it is not common, I see it often on the net. The Necons (extremists in all faiths) do that kind of stuff, they cannot dialogue, argue or debate, instead they resort to maligning others and of course they will always find a few clappers.

Let me take you back to in to the history for a moment; The very name Mohammad was not a Muslim name, when Muhammad became the Prophet (pbuh), he continued with the same name he had before. So goes with Ali (RA), Abu Bakr Siddiqu (RA)..... Here in the United States we have great Muslims, who do not believe that a name makes one a Muslim... from that standard, there are thousands of Bahai, Lebanese, Mexican and Pakistani Christians who have a Muslim sounding name from your standards. We the people from the subcontinent are hung up with name and limit Islam to a name and a culture. Islam is an Universal faith, let's not make it small by smaller definitions.

Shariah code is not divine, if you believe it is, that is your choice.

There is a Hikmah in it for us to grasp... upon the death of the Prophet (pbuh), God or the Prophet could have assigned the leadership to Ali (ra)... who was the first Muslim, as well as Prophets cousin, and son in law..and understood Islam well, but they chose not to. Remember, they needed an administrator and not a religious man to run the government.

The constitution of US and India could be compared to the way Prophet ran governance - inclusive of all communities, respecting other people's rights. Sharia codes were written nearly a century after his death - based on divine inspiration from Qur'aan, and as I have stated earlier, the intent was justice and peace..

I am a Muslim, and a Muslim is one who mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill amongst God's creation. The prophet set examples of it...

I pray, we respectfully learn to disagree and express it in civil terms. It is tempting to resort to calling names and passing judgments. This is perhaps what the greater Jihad was meant. Let's hold on our temptations to belittle any Muslim, Insha Allah, I will keep my end of the bargain.

Jazak Allah Khair

Mike Ghouse, the name I had adopted four years before coming to the US, out of respect for my friend, who was like a father to me, he called me Mike and I have remained Mike for over 3o years now.

You are hundred % correct in your assertions. I just advised Br. HK this morning not to break his head against the stony wall of Br. Mike. He is practically "lost" in the doldrums of American liberalism. I tried my best on all these issues for long but he is somewhat adamant to the point of obstinacy. He wants to create another edition of Akbar's Deen-e-Ilahi", a Cosmopolitan society of his own. Leave him alone to fight his luck. The lust of leadership that he has accumulated around him will always keep him agitated to proceed in his own self- chosen direction not towards the direction [the Sharia] given by Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (S). One day the paramount will of this Ummah may teach him a lesson of neglect and the loss both of Deen and Dunya

May Allah save him from any destruction and devastation in both the worlds. I will pray for him till the time he continues to say: "Allah is One and he is accountable to Him one Day after death for all his actions and deeds"

I am amused at how someone calls himself or herself a Muslim and spreads things about others without knowing or understanding what it is ; You are a wise man and I like to see you as man of wisdom.

Here is a breakdown:

"He wants to create another edition of Akbar's Deen-e-Ilahi".

How did you arrive at this conclusion? Is it a monologue or a dialogue? On the contrary, except the Neocons, most of the non-Muslims honor and respect the work I do and they have come to respect Islam over a period of time as a religion of peace and not believe in the Neocon Propaganda.

I don't expect a Muslim to ascribe wrong ideas to others without fully understanding it themselves, especially of your stature. If you don't understand Pluralism, ask about it before you write up what is not there. Please review Sura Kafirun with an open mind, and not what has been dished out to us for generations. You can also choose to read another compilation at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html

"The lust of leadership that he has accumulated around him "

As an individual I am doing my share of the work that needs to be done. If you cannot appreciate it, please do not denigrate it either. It is not the Muslim thing to do.

"Allah is One and he is accountable to Him one Day after death for all his actions and deeds"

That is the basic belief of every Muslim, don't paint me with a statement that is not there, you are equally accountable to Allah on the day of judgment.

Brother Shamim, don't you think we have better things to do? You do your work and I will do mine and let's stop pulling each other down, then we will never rise.

May Allah give you, me and every one on this group, sanity and goodwill to find the good things we do instead of tearing each other apart. I will stay

Is it in the spirit of Islam to turn a blind eye to several profligate actions and deeds of leaders, whose programs make a mockery of religion and morality?...

Is it in the spirit of Islam that some leaders of Muslim countries abound in magnificent palaces while 60% of their population is illiterate and poor ?

Is it in the spirit of Islam that Muslims are fleeing their homeland for 'heretical' countries in order to attain security and live in dignity?... Is it in the spirit of Islam to besilent in the face of the tyranny of Muslim rulers and despotic tribal vaderas moving around with armed goons?

This World is a guided Reality ! it is only our Lord Allah - the Exalted who sends "natural guidance' - "instinctive guidance" and "creative guidance' and so there exists no conflict as it is ..." OUR Lord is HE Who gave unto everything it's nature and then guided it aright.." (Sura Ta Ha).....mankind is ever so contentious !

There is no need to orchestrate an attack unduly towards Mike....faith is written on the hearts of a Momin....not on his external "attributes".

"Whoso obeyeth the Messenger hath obeyed God" (Sura al Nisa)

How many of you have obeyed the Prophet of Islam ? or are you simply giving lip service ?

" Whoso Judgeth not according to that which God hath Revealed; such are disbelievers"(Sura al Ma'ida)

So what did God reveal and how ?

" Who is he that intercedeth with HIM save by HIS permission"? (Sura al Baqara)

Let us take a deeper look at the reality of prayer. Today, for some odd reason, many of you have the idea that our relationship and connection with Allah is direct, individual and unmediated.

If all human beings were truly conscious of their direct and unmediatedconnection to Allah, then Allah would have revealed His Revelations to theheart of every person and would not have appointed specific human beings as His Prophets.

Nevertheless, Allah did appoint single individuals as hisProphets and representatives by which He communicates to mankind at large.

Now, if it is established that in Allah's communication to man, He appoints His Prophets as mediators, what other spiritual functions does the Prophet perform in this respect? We only need to look to the Holy Quran to find the answer...so do so....understand the noble Quran properly....

The state of affairs in the Muslim world of today: The population is poor and in physical material needs as well as in institutional capacity while the governing few are wealthy beyond their wildest dreams feeding on the wealth of the state as if it is their personal treasury. ....does Islam encourage all this?

If Islam is incompatible with today's modernity how come it enfranchised women 1400 years ago and gave them their rights which people are denying them today? How did Muslim civilizations lose their modernity?

It was to Muslim universities that the European scholars came to study and it was to these highly pluralistic nations under the Quran that the Jew sought asylum from the pogroms and butchery of Christian Europe.

Indeed Islamic nations were the wonder of the world in trade and finance, in arts and sciences, in architecture and town planning, in governance and law, in pluralism and in the pluralistic use of public spaces without restriction to color, class or creed. Who destroyed it all !.....

When man is at the heart of corruption and enforces his rule with the gun as would a warlord, a feudal lord, a king, why is the "deen" of Islam (i.e. the way of Islam in all the aspects of living out one's life) made the scapegoat for the ills of such dishonesty and debauchery ?

According to some ridiculous, illogical and wrong notions , some group of men began to interpret Quran from their sectarian point of view and began to style themselves as Ulama and Ahl-uz-Zikr and these Ulama further cut up the Muslims into various sects according to their own school or method of thought.

Now every Mulla of a mosque, who does not know what is beyond his nose, claims to interpret the Quran and styles himself Alim.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) describes the attributes of ahypocrite in faith in a very concise way.

The Prophet once saidthat the signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, helies; whenever he promises, he breaks it; and if he is entrustedwith something, he betrays the trust (Al-Bukhari).

"Say we believe in God and what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham and ishmael and Isaac and Joseph and the TRIBES and what was given to Moses and Jesus and we make no distinctions..."...

What is the Quran? its a criterion? it is nothing but the old books refined of human alloy...it is a Universal message for all mankind and not the book of dogmas for the Musalman !

Only Allah knows for sure who among us is a sincere believer and who is a true hypocrite. Sometimes hypocrites don't even realize that they are hypocrites.

They are so convincing to other people that they even convince themselves they are believers, whereas their behavior shows quite the opposite.

They always find ways to justify their sinful actions and convince themselves that they are good believers.

The immense booty of excess funds is now getting into a few elite accounts of a few when instead we could have ourselves created enough resources to have real peace by not supporting tyrants who refuse to alleviate the sufferings of the disenfranchised and the marginalized - people now hate us and fight us unto death because of suckers amongst us who are brainless ....

Every moment in our lives is an opportunity which brings a benefit and blessing. And the one who knows how to be benefited by it and how to be blessed by it receives the benefit and the blessing.

Everyone seems living and awake, but few souls really are living and awake.

There are opportunities of benefit and blessing on every plane of one's life, and every opportunity is invaluable. But often one realizes the truth when it is too late.

The theologians have turned the Shariah into formalistic ritualism, and hence their adherents are known as Ashab al-Zahir ..."

Again there is no single version....there are variances too !

"..In a century that followed the Holy Prophet and with the extension of Muslim territory, there cropped up a number of new problems.

Hundred of schools of jurisprudence appeared to mould the Muslim system of laws, but none could crystallize into definite system, accepted by all.

The Schools of Law represented by the Sunni theologians Abu Hanifah (d. 150/767), Malik bin Anas (d. 179/795), Shafi’i (d. 204/820) and Ahmad bin Hanbal (d. 241/856) coded the Islamic tenants, but the problem was however to find a correct balance among all these developments when the Islamic world was undergoing radical changes.....this is where the problem lies....finding correct balance !

Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence and they have to speak up, or find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun....it is never too late ! don't allow the fanatics to scare you... passiveness allows the problems of expand. So, extend yourself a bit....

Practising withdrawal or isolation as prescribed in sharee'ah...folks should spend time alone, in worship as prescribed in Islam.

We ask Allah to help us and people should discipline themselves and submit to that which Allah loves and is pleased with....not what they think Allah loves and is pleased with !

Verily, man is in loss.....Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and recommend one another to the truth, and recommend one another to patience." [Al-Asr 103:1,2 &3]

It's really quite a challenge, "we are committed to removing every type of Shirk from this World.. ........" thrown by brother Javed, Mike. So be it. But we too wonder, Mike who those "we" are who are challenging, and how they plan to do it.Anyway, from the time Islam was born and now, we just wonder what would have gone wrong that made Muslims to go down in glory.And what plans "we" have in mind that Muslims would be doing to bring the old glory back.Not by guns and bullets,we hope.Only way Muslims could advance and catch up with West would be not by Qur'an alone, but modern education and competition. Everything else is just hot air, Mike.So don't worry.Be happy.Let them dream on.

Dear Br. Hussain Khan Sahib,Thanks for regularly sending me your write ups. They are insightfulbut I don't enter into the dialog for a simple reason. On Many topicsI have a divergent view. A good example is your following comment;

To dispel fears of non-Muslims regarding Shariah in America, it is sufficient to tell them that it is not for them. It is a matter confined to Muslims only.

I believe the Muslims should tell the American (and everybody else in the world)that the Islamic Shari'ah is for them, and they should modify their laws to conformto the Islamic Shari'ah.

As the Muslims themselves are not sure what is really "the Shari'ah" (and have notupdated it, as it was not the law of the land for the last 1400 years (after theProphet (SAW) and the Khulafa) they cannot convince the world that the "Islamic"Shari'ah is the best code of conduct (for individuals, societies and states).

Once the Muslims have a society/state and implement the Shari'ah there theywill understand fully what worked and what did not and why. They have to createa model society. The human civilization did not remain in the static condition of 700 AD. It has changed very drastically.

The world, especially the Americans are afraid of the Muslims and Islam becausethey have experienced the Muslims and they say: If Islam is the solution thenwhy can the Muslims not solve their own problems of poverty, illiteracy and lawand order in their own lands?

You are 100 % correct in your assertions. This is the ultimate goal of our existence on earth. Muslims must do this job as a prelude to make the world accept Islam as the only way of life sanctioned by God for humanity. This is the their right to ask for and we must deliver it to them with all humility as the most precious gift from our Creator and Sustainer that we are holding, unfortunately, like a miser or "the dog in the manger" who is neither eating the fodder in the manger not allowing the cow to take it. [Sorry for the use of this proverb which very appropriately applies to our condition]

Muslims like Brothers HK, Kaukab, JA and Mike should undertake it as the mission of their respective life and convince first the Muslim world to present its replica somewhere in this world even in a tiny state to serve as model to devastated humanity. We all should stop talking of "Shariah" or any thing else in the context of modern world unless we are able to reincarnate it contact in letters and spirit in modern terms and terminologies.

Shukrun wa Jazakallah Omar Bhai. You are doing it as the pursuit of your life. Now be more open and assertive. All brothers are sincere but currently have no ideal goal before them like this. Hence, they are putting their energies and talents elsewhere, far away from our ultimate destiny. Hope you remain steadfast too. I will also try my humble way to be a "limping" but steady traveler of this gracious caravan. Allah (SWT) will bless it and its companions immensely.

The purpose of religion was to make us a better human being to ourselves and what surrounds us; people and environment.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) accepted the existence of different faiths, he was a living example of a good human being, and those who liked it, came to accept his religion. He also legitimized co-existence by initiating the Medina document giving rights to every Citizen to practice his or her faith as they deem fit.

There are many verses in Qur'aan that are deliberately mistranslated by the power grabbing European kings to paint Islam in a bad manner to sow hatred, and of course after the fall of Ottoman Empire, Hilali Khan, a Muslim also mistranslated Qur’aan deliberately to sow hatred. We have to figure out what is good for Muslims has got to be good for others and vice versa for co-existence.

Some of the comments from a few Muslims sound exactly like the comments from a few extremists in other faith traditions; it’s my way. It is not going to happen.

God has created us all, and he was absolutely clear when he said, we have made you into nations and tribes, so you can get to know each other and live in peace. He also guides us to let others live the way they want to, and you live the way you want to.

I am for free choice that Qur'aan gives me, there ought to be no compulsion and no need to push any one to be like us; that is going against God's guidance in the two statements above.

I have no desire, no intention and no will to convert any one to my way, or my religion. Let their religion work for them as mine works for me. Together, let's learn about each other and live in peace and harmony. That is the message of God.

Indeed, if some one wants to be a Muslim after seeing you or me as exemplary citizens who care about neighbors and other beings, they are welcome. That is what Islam is all about; being the best human you can be to fellow beings.

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

Our response - we will reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an” (Muhammad Asad Translation Note 31, verse 41:34). It was "To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil." It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.”

God willing Muslims will follow the divine guidance and pray for the restoration of Goodwill, and on that day many Muslim organizations will go on a “blood drive” to save lives and serve humanity with kindness.

We invite fellow Americans of all faiths, races, and ethnicities to join us to rededicate the pledge, “One nation under God”, and to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. This event is a substitute for our 10th Annual Unity Day Celebration (www.UnitydayUSA.com) held in Dallas, but now it will be at Mulberry, Florida.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by invigorating us by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013. Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one Qur'an last year.

As Muslims and citizens we honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones' freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to permeate in our society.

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good will for the common good of the society.

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world as well, that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence, and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what we believe and preach. We must not insult Islam by the negative reactions of a few.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards building a cohesive society.

Like most Americans a majority of Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and take positive action instead of negative reaction. May this message of peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores.

Lastly, we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch, City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very well. This will add a ‘feather of peace’ in the City’s reputation. We hope Mulberry will be a catalyst in showing the way in handling conflict with dignity and peace.

We thank the Media for giving value to the work towards peace rather than conflict.

CIVIL DIALOGUE

The people in Dallas are making an effort to understand and clean their own hearts first, when we are free from bias, it would be easy to share that with others. Islam teaches us in so many ways to "respect the otherness of others" and it is time we find simple practical ways of doing it.

SACRED - THE FILM

ABOUT US

The role of Muslims is to contribute towards the well being of humanity, and to be the conflict mitigaters and goodwill nurturers. Our goal is a secure world for every human. Please read the mission statement.

This group is about Muslims and their civic responsibilities in creating a dignified religious, social and civic space for themselves in the community of faiths. We do not distinguish between a Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, WD Muhammad, Ismaili, Bohra or the subsets of each group, all believe in God, the Prophet and the accountability of their actions and whoever calls himself or herself a Muslim is a Muslim to us. Currently we are blessed to have our Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Bahai, Sikh and Buddhist friends among us to learn and share their perspective. This is our world and our God collectively.

MEMBERSHIP SINCE 2003

World Muslim Congress is a think tank, all are welcome to participate in the discussions, our scope is limited and defined in our mission statement. Currently, we have 1800 Members world wide with no membership fee.

To join the group, send an email to: WorldMuslimCongress-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

world Muslim Congress

ADDRESS

Mike Ghouse(214) 325-1916

World Muslim Congress

Washington, DC

WHAT WILL MUSLIMS DO WHILE QURAN IS BURNT

It is a purposeful positive event for Americans of different faiths, races, ethnicities and other uniqueness to come together to rededicate ourselves to our pledge; One nation under God with liberty and Justice for all. We will pray for peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

Last year the event focused on the positive response of Sikh community to the Wisconsin Shooting and this year, we will focus on the positive prayerful response of Muslim community to the planned Qur'an Burning by Pastor Terry Jones in Mulberry, Florida.

Click on pictures to see larger version of the photo

RSVP- ConfirmAttendance@gmail.comContact information - at the bottomPROGRAM DETAILSPictures indicate for visualization of the program as was done in Dallas, Texas We honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution, and have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to prevail for the common good of the world. We hope, our mercy based message will remind those few Muslims elsewhere in the world that violence is not the way. We believe it may bring a change in the attitudes of followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety.

Please join us for a life changing event, you will fall in love with the idea that all of us Americans will come together as Americans and nothing but Americans. While we have our identity, we look to each other as American and rededicate ourselves to our pledge; one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

You will be a part of history in creating a model behavior in dealing with conflicts and building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.The 10th Annual event is moved to Mulberry, Florida - for a singular purpose - to mitigate possible apprehensions generated by the planned burning of 2998 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013. We hope the event restores our faith in the cohesiveness of America, and we the people will go on about our business of living our daily lives.The full press release: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

WE WILL GATHER;

to be together as Americans

to express our gratitude to our men and women in uniform

to honor individuals who have contributed to the well being of Mulberry, Florida

to emphasize and appreciate diversity represented by America.

to cherish the otherness of others.

to commit to be good neighbors

to rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of America

Please join us with your family and friends to be together as Americans. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a pluralistic America.

As Americans, and as American of all hues, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all”.

On this Unity Day USA, we, the people of the United States of America of every faith, race and ethnicity, will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, safety, prosperity and the well being of our nation.

PROGRAM: FLAG CEREMONY

NATIONAL ANTHEM

(Preferably joined in by members of at least 7 faith traditions, if not all)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

To be led by the Hon. Mayor George Hatch of Mulberry

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Acknowledgement of dignitaries- Suzanne

Thanking key volunteers - Curtis

Thanking the Media- Butch

Appreciating the sponsors - Lynn

PURPOSE

Purpose - a new positive approach to conflict mitigation and rededicating to our pledge – one nation under God with Liberty and Justice for all- Mike

Mayors, Police and Fire chiefs, and Civic Leaders to share 3 minutes each – about their responsibility in treating each citizen with respect and dignity

HONORING THE ACTIVISTS

Those who have stood up for others

SPIRITUAL LEADERS

All-inclusive spiritual leaders will be on stage representing each tradition, and lighting a candle of the next, a symbolic gesture to be the light to others. Every available religious American representation in Polk County will be accommodated. This is not about sermons but about being together as Americans. Please beware, it is about Americans and included in the group will be Atheists, Pagans and other non-religious traditions.

PEACE PLEDGE

I will I will speak up when there is injustice.

I will speak up when truth is not spoken.

I will make my words and my actions mitigate conflicts.

I will do my share in nurturing goodwill for the benefit of all.

I will do my share of peace work, without looking for others

I will do respect the God given uniqueness of each individual.

I will do my best to live and let others live their way.

I will do my best to nurture goodwill in everything I do.

SPECIAL MUSLIM PRAYER

( 3-4 Minutes)Muslim prayers and supplication for the safety and security and unity of our nation. Pray for the well being of all Americans, and seek forgiveness for all of us, and may God guide Reverend Terry Jones to become a be blessed peace maker. Pray for the goodwill of the people of Polk county and Mulberry City, and pray for a cohesive America, where no American needs to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear or fellow Americans.

Please donate to defray the costs. All donors over $100 will be listed on this site. If one or two individuals want to sponsor, we would really welcome it. It will save us time. Donate athttp://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ MESSAGES - PRESS RELEASES

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

Our response - we will reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an” (Muhammad Asad Translation Note 31, verse 41:34). It was "To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil." It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.”

God willing Muslims will follow the divine guidance and pray for the restoration of Goodwill, and on that day many Muslim organizations will go on a “blood drive” to save lives and serve humanity with kindness.

We invite fellow Americans of all faiths, races, and ethnicities to join us to rededicate the pledge, “One nation under God”, and to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. This event is a substitute for our 10th Annual Unity Day Celebration (www.UnitydayUSA.com) held in Dallas, but now it will be at Mulberry, Florida.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by invigorating us by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013. Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one Qur'an last year.

As Muslims and citizens we honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones' freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to permeate in our society.

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good will for the common good of the society.

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world as well, that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence, and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what we believe and preach. We must not insult Islam by the negative reactions of a few.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards building a cohesive society.

Like most Americans a majority of Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and take positive action instead of negative reaction. May this message of peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores.

Lastly, we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch, City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very well. This will add a ‘feather of peace’ in the City’s reputation. We hope Mulberry will be a catalyst in showing the way in handling conflict with dignity and peace.

We thank the Media for giving value to the work towards peace rather than conflict.